Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care

WHAT IS ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE & DEMENTIA CARE?

Over 5 million Americans live with Alzheimer’s disease and require daily assistance. By 2050, Alzheimer’s disease is expected to affect over 100 million people. Finding care for a loved one that allows them to maintain an optimal level of self-care and independence for as long as possible requires time and research.

WHAT TYPE OF FACILITY OFFERS ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE & DEMENTIA CARE?

There are typically three settings available for your loved one who is no longer safe living at home. Assisted living communities and nursing homes often have dedicated Memory Care programs that specialize in caring for those with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. They are secure units within the community that are specifically designed to meet the special needs and behaviors of persons living with dementia. Another newer option for care is a community completely dedicated to Alzheimer’s disease and Dementia. These are freestanding centers and tend to be licensed as assisted living.

WHAT SHOULD I LOOK FOR WHEN SEARCHING FOR A COMMUNITY THAT OFFERS THIS TYPE OF CARE?

In evaluating communities for dementia care, there are typically two areas experts agree that you should focus on:

Resident Safety and Supervision: Safety and supervision go hand-in-hand in providing quality care for Alzheimer’s and dementia residents. Wandering is a part of the disease process as are other behaviors (i.e. decreased judgment, disorientation to time and place) that go along with memory impairments. A secure environment and adequate staffing are essential things to look for in a memory care program.

A Structured Routine for Residents: A structured routine is also important for persons living with memory loss. Structured activity all day long helps decrease agitation, as do things like consistent caregivers, consistent meal times and meal locations, and a physical environment that is structured to provide visual cues for residents. These cues can include photo cue cards, memory boxes with personal items outside a resident room, colors and more. Consistency and structure help to control the behaviors that sometimes come with memory loss.

HOW MUCH DOES ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE & DEMENTIA CARE COST?

The cost of dementia care depends upon the level of care you select. For memory care in an assisted living community, fees are typically paid for from private funds. However, there are a few exceptions. Some long-term care insurance policies cover licensed assisted living communities, and in a few states, Medicaid funds are available to help with assisted living costs.

Reimbursement for dementia care in a nursing home is either from private funds, long-term care insurance or Medicaid.

To find out more information on memory care costs, call your local Care Advisor at (866) 342-4297. SeniorLiving.Net’s Care Advisors have detailed information, including pricing information, for thousands of assisted living and memory care communities across the country.

HOW ARE THESE FACILITIES REGULATED?

Assisted living is regulated at the state level. Because of that, every state has its own policies that define and regulate what care and services are required for an assisted living community to meet the state standards. States set regulations to clearly distinguish an assisted living community from other long-term care facilities. Other areas that states monitor are care, providers, food and safety.

Skilled nursing and rehab centers are regulated at both the state and the federal level. They are licensed and regulated by the Department of Public Health for the state, and are certified by both Medicaid and Medicare. In addition, there are licensing standards for the administrators and the clinical staff.